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PSB curriculum prep school Buckinghamshire
Swanbourne House

Pre-Senior Baccalaureate

Mentoring Programme Leavers' Destinations & Scholarships Swanbots
Hands-on PSB learning inspires creativity and critical thinking.

The Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB) at Swanbourne House

At Swanbourne House, we believe education should be academically rigorous, forward-thinking, and deeply relevant. That’s why in Year 7 & 8 we follow the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB) — a progressive framework designed to stretch young minds and prepare them for success at senior school, university and beyond.

The PSB is not limited by a narrow, exam-driven approach. Instead, it champions independent learning, critical thinking, leadership, collaboration and creativity. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, make connections across subjects and engage in purposeful, hands-on learning.

More about the PSB

At Swanbourne House, the PSB enables us to deliver an education that’s both academically ambitious and personally enriching. We’re proud to be preparing pupils not just for their next school, but for whatever future they choose to create.

Mrs Eifion-Jones, Deputy Head Academic
Pre-Senior Baccalaureate at independent school near Milton Keynes

The PSB is built around six essential skills:

  • Leadership

  • Collaboration

  • Independence

  • Thinking & Learning

  • Review & Improving

  • Communication

By embedding these throughout the curriculum, pupils leave Swanbourne not only with excellent academic preparation but also with the confidence, adaptability and problem-solving mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Pre-Senior Baccalaureate at independent school near Milton Keynes

At Swanbourne House, PSB lessons balance academic rigour with innovative, real-world application.

  • Designing cities using geometry in Maths

  • Exploring ethics through viva discussions in Religious Studies

  • Studying witchcraft in History on the streets in London

  • Or coding robots in Computing…

…our pupils gain knowledge and skills in a way that is memorable, meaningful and exciting.

prep schools with PSB Buckinghamshire

PSB Through the Years at Swanbourne House

  • Early Years & Lower School (Pre-Reception – Year 4): Pupils begin developing the foundations of PSB skills through exploration and creativity.
  • Middle School (Years 5 & 6): Children grow in independence, resilience and communication, applying these skills to increasingly ambitious projects, performances and problem-solving tasks alongside their core academics.
  • Upper School (Years 7 & 8): Pupils enter the formal assessment stage of the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate. Assessment is continuous and wide-ranging, including traditional tests, but also presentations, project work, team collaboration, leadership activities and independent study. This approach ensures that every child’s strengths are recognised — not just in exams, but across a full spectrum of academic achievement, creativity, character and leadership potential.

At Swanbourne House, the PSB provides a rigorous yet forward-thinking education, preparing pupils not only for senior school entrance but also for success well beyond the classroom.

PSB Prep School | Pre-Senior Baccalaureate at Swanbourne House

FAQ

Q: What is the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB)?

A: The PSB is a forward-thinking academic framework for Years 7 & 8  that combines rigorous subject study with essential skills such as leadership, collaboration and independence.

Q: Is the PSB taught throughout the whole school?

A: At Swanbourne House, the core PSB skills — leadership, collaboration, independence, critical thinking and communication — are woven into teaching across all year groups. You can even see these skills in action from the very start in the Manor House, where our youngest pupils are introduced to the Swanbots. The formal assessment stage of the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate begins in Year 7, ensuring pupils are fully prepared to demonstrate their abilities as they approach Senior School.

Q: How is the PSB different from a traditional curriculum?

A: Unlike exam-driven systems that focus mainly on end-of-year tests, the PSB uses a continuous assessment model. Pupils are assessed not only through traditional written work but also through presentations, collaborative projects, problem-solving tasks, leadership roles and independent research. This ensures their achievements are recognised across a wide range of skills — from academic knowledge to creativity, teamwork and communication.

Q: How does the PSB prepare children for senior school?

A: The PSB builds strong academic foundations while also teaching pupils to think independently, communicate effectively and work collaboratively — qualities highly valued by leading senior schools. Swanbourne House has been running the PSB for a number of years, and all of the senior schools we feed into recognise and respect it as a robust assessment model.

Q: How does the PSB reflect the education at Stowe?

A: The Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB) at Swanbourne House aligns closely with Stowe’s Change Makers programme, which focuses on preparing pupils for the challenges of the future. Both emphasise independent learning, leadership, creativity and problem-solving alongside strong academic achievement.